Somerset Council is holding a series of free, online webinars to help individuals plan care and support needs for themselves or those they care for.

These informative sessions aim to provide valuable insights and practical advice on navigating the complexities of care planning.

The webinars follow the success of the previous in-person event held in November, which saw positive feedback. The new sessions will be held via Microsoft Teams and in the evenings and are scheduled to begin on 27 January 2025 and continue throughout February, offering another opportunity for Somerset residents to gain essential knowledge and resources.

Topics covered will include understanding your care options, financial planning, and how to access local support services. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance from professionals in the field.

Councillor Sarah Wakefield, Lead Member for Adults Services, Housing and Homelessness at Somerset Council, said:

“The webinars are a fantastic resource for anyone looking to understand and plan for care needs, whether for themselves or their loved ones.

The positive response from our November in-person event has encouraged us to keep this momentum going, and we hope that holding the webinars online in January will encourage even more people to join.

No one wants to start thinking about financing care for themselves or the people they support, but it is a position that many of us will be faced with sooner or later. These online sessions aim to help the people of Somerset get the information that they need to make the best-informed decisions for their lives or for the lives of their loved ones.

I really encourage you to drop in if you can.”

There will be a series of webinars taking place in the evenings between Monday, 27 January  and Thursday, 27 February 2025.

For those that cannot attend, the webinars will all be available online after the sessions take place. Register for the free online-only events using the following links:

• Monday 27 January, 6.30pm to 8pm, Wills & Lasting Power of Attorney: Managing an Individual’s Finances 
• Tuesday 4 February, 6.30pm to 8pm, Financial Assessments for Care Funding 
• Wednesday 12 February, 6.30pm to 7.15pm, Navigating Direct Payments 
• Wednesday 12 February, 7.15pm to 8pm, Supporting the Armed Forces community in Somerset 
• Thursday 27 February, 6.30pm to 7.15pm, Personalised Community Support for Carers in Somerset 
• Thursday 27 February, 7.15pm to 8pm, Understanding how Adult Social Care works